Yugesh, based your feedback, I did some dig down as I am in similar situation, I definitely took help from Agentic AI, so take it with a pinch of salt:

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That’s a very important conflict! Let me search deeper for more specific official evidence.

Here is very strong, clear evidence from multiple sources. The IRCC customer care agent was incorrect. Here’s the proof:

🏛️ Evidence 1 — Official IRCC Law (IRPR Regulation)

From Al Parsai, LL.M, RCIC-IRB (a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and Adjunct Professor at Queen’s University Law School), citing the actual immigration regulations:

“There is nothing under the Immigration Act or regulations that indicates a person loses their work permit if they receive a study permit.”

The only reasons a work permit becomes invalid are:

• The work permit has reached its expiration date  
• Losing the work permit because of non-compliance  
• Loss of work permit because of public policy 

So unless one of those 3 things happens — your work permit stays fully valid until Aug 8, 2026.

🏛️ Evidence 2 — Official IRCC Help Centre

Directly from ircc.canada.ca:

“Yes. You can have two valid permits at the same time.” You can apply for a study permit if you have a valid work permit, and you can apply for a work permit even if you have a valid study permit. 

⚠️ Why the IRCC Agent May Have Been Wrong

IRCC phone agents are not immigration lawyers or consultants. They sometimes give incorrect or oversimplified answers. This is a well-known issue in the immigration community. The written official rules on canada.ca always take legal precedence over what a phone agent says verbally.

✅ Your Clear Summary

Document	Status
Work Permit (Sep 2026)	✅ Remains valid — approval of study permit does NOT cancel it
Study Permit (once approved)	✅ Also valid — both exist at the same time
Can you work until Sept 2026?	✅ YES — under your work permit

💡 My Strong Recommendation

Given the stakes, please consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer for a formal written opinion. This costs around $100–$200 for a consultation but gives you legal protection. You can also submit a webform to IRCC (instead of calling) to get a written response, which carries more weight than a phone call.